Beverage dispenser



June 20,1939. D. H. DOLlsON ET A1.

BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed Feb. 9, 1957 Patented. 'June' 20, 1939V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v BEVERAzIzIlsSZPENSEIZ. I

Dewey -H. Dolison, lV-Iount Vernon, Wallace R. Kromer, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to Oil Heating Devices, Inc.2 Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application/recrean `enfilent?, serial Neifffizgsos 19 Claims.

AThis invention relates to a method. and apparatus for dispensing a beverage, such as beer and the like, and more particularly to a unitary device for serving such beverages directly from l. 5 the container in which they are transported, and

in which the beverage may be cooled before being dispensed. f

It is an object of the present invention to provid a dispenser having adjustable Vmeans by- 10 which the resistance to the flow of beverage being dispensed may be regulated.

More specically, this invention aims to provide such -a now-resistance regulator that can be manipulated while the beverage is owing 15 through the dispenser tov obtain thev most def sirable dispensing conditions so that the beverage being dispensed will be fresh and palatable, with a desired amount of foam `or collar and carbon dioxide content.

Another object is to provide a vdispenser of this characterwhich includes means for maintaining the beverage which has been withdrawn with the. accompanying drawing, in which like 3v parts in the several views are identied by the` same numerals of reference.

Figure 1 isa side'elevation, with parts broken away, ofa beverage dispensing unit embodying the present invention; I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section and 'with parts broken away, showing the dispenser illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 8 are sectional views tal-xenon the indicated lines of Fig. 2; y 4 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, in

section, showing a modication of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional View on line-1 1 of Fig. 6. The present invention is'.u'sed to advantage in .connectionwittt ,a, beverage dispensing system in i which the beveragis received from the manufacturer or -brewer in a container, such as a barrel or keg I It is preferable that the beverage becooled. before being dispensed. VIn some cases the beverage will already be cool when received municates with the interior of theicontainer.

f from the manufacturer or brewerv.H owsarer. it

(ci. zas-f1) is desirable that somelmeans be provided. for cooling the beverage and maintaining it at a desirable temperature. This may be accomplished in various ways, such as by placing the container in a cooling cabinet, or setting it in a' tub of cooling liquid, such as ice water or brine. 1A more convenient and eil'ective method is illustrated in Fig. 1. The container or barrel I is provided with a cooling liquid coil 2, which is preferably carried within the beverage retaining space 'in order to contact the beverage, and is provided with an inlet 3 and an outlet 4 which communicate with the exterior of the container, so that suitable connections may be made to circulate a cooling liquid through the coil 2.

To openl or tap thebarrel or container, a tting 5 is applied to the tap hole olf the container and the inlet end 6 of a tubular` conduit 'l of the combined tap rod and dispenser illustrated in the drawing is placed in acentral aperture in the tap hole fitting 5. 'This aperture is in alinement with the tap or bung hole of the container, and, upon forcing the tubular conduit 'I into the container, the cork or bung which `fllls the tap hole is displaced and the tubular conduit 1 may be slid into the container until a footing member 8 on the inlet-end 6 of the tubular conduit rests against the bottom of the container, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The tap hole fittingv v5 is provided with a pair of rubber jam `washers, one of which is arranged to provide a tight seal between the'iitting and the tubular conduit 1 by rotation of the upper wing member 9, andthe other of which is arranged to provide a tight .seal between the tting and the container I by means of the lower wing member III.

An air orgas conduit I I iscOnnectedto the .ntting 5, so that air or a suitable gas such as- C02 may be suppliedto the' space in the 'container I overthe beverage and maintainedv at a suitable.

rpressure in the usual manner, it being understood that the central aperture in the iltting 5 com- A valve I2 is provided to regulate the supply of air or gas to the container in the usual manner.

. The tubular conduit. 1. is of sumcient length .to extend a short distance above the keg or container` I, and carrieson its outer end a pressure throttling or regulating head I4, which has its inlet end I3 secured to the tubular conduit Tinany suitable'rnanner, suchas by welding or brazing, indicated at I5. 'I'he central portionv of the pressure regulating head I4 is formed with an elongated tapering bore I6, which extends as a continuation f the central aperture in the tubu'- lar conduit 1. Carriedwithin the tapering bore I5 is a pressure throttling valve body I-1, which is in thev form of an elongated cone having a vtaper preferably corresponding to the taper of the bore I6.` 'I'his valve body .is supported and adjustably carried by a Vstem I8, which has a threaded portion lLengaged in a capping member 20 of the pressure regulating head.

A knurled thumb wheel 2 I carried on the outer squared end of the stem I8, aords the means by which the stem I8 maybe screwed into or out of the capping'member 20 to advance or retract the valve body I1 with respect to the tapered bore I5, so that the cross-sectional area of -the beverage passage through the pressure regulating head I4 may be adjusted to secure the desired amount of`frictional resistance to the ow of beverage being dispensed.

A suitable packing-material 23, such as cotton yarn, isplaced around the stem I8 of the valve body and within a `packing chamber formed in the outer portion of the capping member 20 and retained between a pair of vpacking rings 24 and- `with the chamber 29 is threaded to receive a tap or faucet 29, which may be of conventional construction.

The passage through the tapor faucet 29 communicates with the chamber 28 in the pressure regulating head so that a continuous passage is provided for the dispensing of beverage from the container I.v A valve body 3l! is arranged to be actuated by the knob 3| to open and close the passage through the tap 29 in order that'the beverage may be dispensed as desired.

The narrow end of the conical valve body I1 is positioned and maintained in alignment in the passage through the pressure regulating head I4 by a plurality of webs- 32 which are formed to. extend radially outward from a pinv 33 which ex'- tends as a continuation of the valve body I1 along the longitudinal axis thereof. The outer edges of the webs 32 are arranged to hav'e sliding engagement' with a portion 34 of the passagef A way through the pressure regulating head I4. The passage portion 34 is of cylindrical crosssection in distinction to the tapered bore I5 in order that the 'webs 32,may have continuous contact with the walls of the passage to assure proper alignment of the valve I1 as it is moved longitudinally in-the passage by adjustment ofthe wheel 2|. A modiiled'method of guiding the valve body I 1 is illustrated in Figs. 6 and '1. An enlargedpasl sageway 59 is formed in the inlet. end I3 ofthe pressure regulating head I4 and has a circular bearing element 51 positioned thereimand held in place by a press t. A central aperture formed in a transverse rib 59 of the element.S l1d'- ingly receives a cylindrical pin so which isrprmed as an extension of the small end of the lvalve body I1. Beverage iiows past the element 51 through 'a plurality of apertur 58. enlarged passageway 56 compensates for the obstruction of the passageway caused by the transverse rib 59 of the bearing element 51 so that there is a minimum of obstruction to the flow 'of beverage. Desirably the upper end of the vwooden lining 45 is trimmed to provide a flared opening from the passageway in the tubular conduit 1 into the enlarged passageway 56 as indicated at6I to facilitate-a streamline flow of the beverage.

In' order that the beverage being dispensed will be at a desirable temperature a tubular jacket 35 is formed around the outer end of the tubular conduit 1 which extends from the container I and around the pressure regulating head which is carried by the outer end of the tubular conduit, The jacket 35 is in spaced relation with respect to the pressure regulating head and tubular conduit 1 to provide a cooling liquid chamber n 36. The upper portion of the pressure regulating head is flared outwardly at 31 so that the upper portion of the tubular jacket 35 may be secured thereto by any suitable means such as brazing or welding. The jacket 35 as shown in Fig. 2 does not entirely surround the portion of, the pressure regulating head to which the tap 29 is secured.

The bottom of the Itubular jacket 35 is formed into an inwardly extending flange 38 which is secured to the tubular conduit.1 by suitable means such as welding or brazing to provide -a iiuid-tight joint. An'inlet tube or nipple 39- is inserted through the flange portion 38 at the bottom of the tubular jacket 35 and secured in place by welding or brazing. By means of this nipple cooling liquid may be supplied to the cooling liquid chamber 35. In similar manner, an outlet tube or nipple 4I is also secured in place through the flange 38 of the jacket, preferably on the oppositeside thereof from the inlet tube 39. It is also desirable that the outlet' tube 4| be extended upwardly to a portion of the cooling `liquid chamber adjacent the top of the pressure regulating head. In this manner a circulation of cooling liquid entirely through the cooling liquid chamber 36 is assured.

It hasbeen found particularly advantageous -in a'beverage dispenser of this character to provide a non-metallic lining 45 in the tubular conduit 1, preferably formed of wood. Thus the'beverage being dispensed from the system has a minimum contact with metallic surfaces. As

Y shown in Fig. 2, the 'wooden lining extends from the footing member 8, at the bottom of. the conduit, to the inlet end -I3 of the pressure regulating head I4. This feature of conducting the bev- Aeragethrough a wood-lined passageway is of particular advantage with a brewed beverage such '.as beer or ale. .Apparently the natural avor of the beverage is not. impaired and a more satisfactory drink may be dispensed. rAs illustrated in Fig. 8,'the wooden lining 45 may be advantageouslyformed intwo or more parts,.each of `wliich'is arranged to extend the full length of the desired wooden lining and each of which forms a continuous portion of the passage through the conduit.

The footinglnember 3 previously mentioned comprises a cylindrical body element 50 having a central aperture continuous with the passageway through the `tubular conduit 1. The bodyelement 50 threadedly engages the lower end of the tubular conduit 1 and may seat against the wooden lining l45' to assist in retaining the lining:

in place. Positioned transversely of the aperture through the body element 50 and across the end thereof is' a cap 52. This cap preferably has a substantially iiat outer surface to seat against the bottom of thev container I andv is held in spaced relation'from the bodyelement 50 by projecting portions 53 of the body element. Between the element 50 and cap .52 and between the projections 53 there is thus formed a plurality of elongated openings 54- through whichv the beverage flows whenentering the passage of the,unitary dispensing device. It is apparent that the elongated openings 54 are closely adjacent the bottom of the container I. vAccordingly, a dispenser constructed according to the' present invention is adapted to withdraw substaantially all of the beverage from a container'. In addition, the elongated openings are more eflicient to pass beverages such as beer and the like,v since lthe -carbon dioxide content of 'the beverage is apt to be disturbed ifl thexiiowv of the beverage is turbulent. Apparently the elongated openings aiford a smootherand rnoreluni-A form ow ofthe beverage than other construe- The outer ilat surface of the cap 52 is ofadvantage since it is necessary, in tapping akjegl, that this portion of the tap rod press against the cork or bung when the latter is dislodgd from the bung hole. 'I'he wide'.' nat surface of the tap ..52 which may extend across nearly the entire diameter ofthe bung hole is effective in facilitating a uniform and ,evenly distributed pressure on the bimg during a tapping operation.

4As previously mentioned, in order to maintain the -beverage being dispensed at a desirable temperature, a suitable cooling liquid 'such as ,water or brine is supplied to the dispensing unit through the conduit l2. The -water ilowlng through the conduit." is divided at a T-iltting 62 into two branches, one branch hows through the conduit 54 to the -inlet of the cooling liquid' chamber 3i.- The other branch flows toA the in'- let 3 of the cooling liquidcoil 2 in the container -I through a conduit 65. lIn order that the' amount of lcooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid chamber .I5 may be Aindividu- .ally controlled, a regulating valve li which may be of any suitable well known' ldesign, is placed in the conduit 64 between the T-fltting 63 and inlet 39. Similarly.'l a regulating valvejlinterposed between the';T-t-

ting 63 and linlet 3 to the container cooling coil 2 permits control of the now of cooling liqv uid into the cooling means for the beverage in the original container. By suitable adjustment of the regulating valve I5 with respect to the regulating valve '61 the relative flow'of cooling liquid through the cooling liquid chamber` 11' with respect to the -iiow throughfthe cooling liquid coil 2 may be adjusted so that the ,most-l desirable conditions of cooling and temperature range are obtained.

The spent cooling. liquid flowing out ofthe cooling liquidl chamber 38 'through the outlet tube 4I is conducted throughthe conduit 58 -to the outlet T-tting 69 whereit commingles with the spent cooling liquidflowing from the outlet 4 of the cooling liquid coil 2 through the conduit' 10. A discharge or return'- conduit 1I lreceives thespent cooling llquid'from .both the cooling' Ii uid-chamber 36 and the'coolin'gliquid coil 2 at the r-tting 59 and either returns vit to the reirigerating apparatus whichI cools it 'prepara'- tory-'to its being recirculated through' the-disor discharges it to .waste in'h'accordance l the pressure maintained on the beverage within the container I by the air or gas from the conduit II forces the beverage through the elongated openings 54 in the footing member 8 and upwardly through the tubular conduit 1. With.-

in this conduit the beverage ows through thev passageway in the wooden lining 45 thus being kept outA of 'contact'with any metallic'surfacesuntil reaching the pressure regulating headcarried by the top of the tubular conduit 'I. passing through the tapering bore I6 and around the tapered valve body Il of the pressure regulating head, a smoothand streamlined now of beverage is maintained due to the absence of ilow. 'Ihis' smooth ow of the beverage facilitates its being dispensed in a desirable condition with a' maximum percentage of its original carbon dioxide content still maintained in the absorbed-state. f

When a freshke'g or container of beverage is tapped with a unitary dispenser constructed in accordance the present invention and the flow of' cooling liquid is adjusted to obtain desirable temperature conditions in the tubular jacket and within the container I the opera-E tor or bar tender can regulateor control the character of beverage being dispensed jby suit-l able manipulation of the valve body I 1 within the pressure regulating head of the dispenser.

This'may be accomplished by opening the tapl or faucet 28 so that the beverage flows. freely therefrom under the influence of whatever pressure is vvmaintained within the container I by means of the air or gas conduit I'II.

is' 'moved longitudinally in the tapering bore I5 by screwing th threaded stem inwardly oroutwardly by means ofthe knurled hand wheel 2i. As'the valve body I1 is advanced into the tapering bore the cross-sectional area of the passageway through the pressure regulating head effectivei for the now of beverage is diminished. Conversely,'as the tapering valve body is withdrawn'from the bore I6 thecross-sectional area of the" 'passage available for the ow of beverage is increased. By observation of the beverage flowing vfrom the tap A29, the operator or bar tendeivcan determine when the proper dispensing condition is obtained and the pressure regulalting head/is then set for the beverage being dispensedfrom the particular container.

sequent lopening and closing of the valve in the.

Sub-

. with the. beveragethus ilowing,the tapered valve body 'I1 A'obstructions-for] substantial disturbances-to its tang!!- to withdraw beverage as required, does j .notdisturbthis'setting 'of the pressure regulating head so that successive quantities of bevl erage Amaybe Withdrawn at intermittent intervals which are of a -substantlally uniform Schar-` acter. vThus a simple-andeective adjustment is provided sovthat lthe vdispensing conditions for each' keg or container may be individually regulated. This feature is of' particular advantage in dispensingfmaltsbeverages such as beer and ale, since, dueto various factors and on account breweries-f' :o:v :manufacturera each successive o f the beverage being purchased from different .tapered valve body I1 to throttle or reduce the beer and the like directly from a containerin pressure of the beverage flowing through the tapered .chamber I6 so that the beverage being dispensed from the tap '29 is of suitable. character and retains substantially all of the original carbon dioxide content established by the particular manufacturer vor brewer. The dispenser shown in the drawing and described above is for purposes of illustration only, and it is to be understood that numerous modifications'in construction and design are contemplated and intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims;

What we claim'is: u

1. The methodof conditioning and dispensing a beverage such as beer-and the like which comprises cooling the beverage in the container in which the beverage is transported to substantial dispensing temperature, maintaining a gas pres-l sure on the beverage in the container suiilcient to retain substantially all of the original gas content of the beverage in the absorbed state, conducting the beverage over a short path from the container to a receptacle from which the 'beverage is to be consumed, the path being substantially straight and substantially without turns or bends and of a length insuillcient to in-` path adjacent the dispensing en d thereof to startand stop the dispensing of beverage from the container to maintain substantially uniform pressure on the beverage throughout substantially the whole dispensing system when the path is closed and adjusting the drop in the pressure onthe flowing beverage being drawn at a portiony of said path intermediate the dispensing end there'- of and the end within the container, independently of said opening and closing, whereby substantially-the entire drop in pressure on the 'dowing beverage may be initially determined for each container and maintained constant and independent of the opening or closing of the path.

2. The method of conditioning and dispensing a beverage such as beer and the like which comprises -cooling the 4beverage in the container in which the beverage is transported to substantial dispensing temperature, maintaining a gas pressure on the beverage in the container sumcient to retain substantially al1 of the original gaa content of the beverage in the absorbed state, conducting the beverage over a shortpath from the container to a receptacle from which the beverage is to be consumed, the path being substantially straight and substantially without turns or bends and 'of a length insuillcient to independently reduce the pressure on the beverage to dispensing pressure, opening and closing the path adjacent the dispensing end thereof to startand stop the dispensing of beverage from the container to maintain substantially uniform pressure on the beverage throughout substantially the whole dispensing system' when the path 'is closed, .adjusting the drop in the pressure on the flowing beverage being drawn at a portion lof said path intermediate the dispensing end thereof and beverage is drawn.

the end within the container, independently of said opening and closing, whereby substantially the entire drop in pressure on the iiowing beverage may be initially determined for each container and maintained constant and independent of the opening or closing of the path, and coolingV the beverage over a portion of said path and while 'the pressure on the beverage is being reduced.4

3. A dispenser for drawing a beverage suchwas which the beverage is transported, comprising a tubular conduit substantially straight and substantially without turns or bends, said conduit operably permitthe withdrawal of beverage from the container through the conduit, and means carried by the conduit and independent of said valve means for adjustably regulating the resistance to the flow of beverage through the conduit, said -last named means being adjustable while l beverage is being drawn from the container,

whereby the most desirable resistance to ow for each container may be individually selected and 1s maintained regardless of4 the number. of times 4. A dispenser for drawing a beverage such as beer and the like directly from a container in which the beverage istransported and in which the beverage is maintained under pressure, comprisinga tubular conduit-having an intake end receivable in the container and arranged to be immersed in the beverage and a dispensing end extending onlya short' distance from the, container, a tap at the dispensing end of the conduit having valve means to operablyI permit the with'- drawal of beverage from the container through the conduit under the influence of said pressure,

and a wooden lining-m the conduit arranged to decrease the effective cross-sectional area of the beverage passage through the conduit, said lining being supported by the conduit and extending 'substantially from the `inlet end to adjacent the dispensing end, whereby beverage being drawn from the container has a minimum contact with metal.

5. A dispenser for drawing a beverage such as beer" and the like directly from a container in which the beverage is transported and in which the beverage is maintained Vunder pressure, lcomprising atubular conduit having an intake end receivable in the container and arranged to be .immersed in the beverage and a dispensing end extending only a short distance from the container, a tap at the dispensing end of the conduit having valve meansarranged to operably permit the withdrawal of beverage from the container through 'the conduit under the influence of said pressure, means carried by the conduit for adjustably regulating the resistance to the ow of' beverage through-the conduit, said last named means being independent of the valve means and being adjustable while the beverage is, being drawn from the container whereby the most desirable resistance to flow for each container may be individually selected and is maintained re'- .gardless of the number of times beverage, is drawn, 'and a wooden lining the conduit ar, ranged to decrease .the eective cross-sectionaly area of the beverage passage through the conduit, said lining being supported by the conduit and 2,162,842. extending substantially from the inlet end substantially tothe flow resisting means whereby beverage being drawn from the container has al minimum. contact with metal.

6. A, dispenser for drawing a beverage such as beer and the .like'directly from a container in which the beverage is transported, comprising a substantially straight tubular conduit having an intake' end receivable in the container and arranged to be immersed in the-beverage; vand a dispensing end extending only a short distance from the container, a cooling liquid chamber formed to surround a portion of the conduit extending from the container, means whereby cool-- drawal of beverage from the container through Y the conduit, and means carried by the conduit and independent of said valve means for adjustably regulating the resistance to the iow of beverage through the conduit, said last named means being adjustable while beverage is being drawn from the container, whereby themost desirable resistance to flow for each container may' be individually selected and is maintained regardless of the number of times beverage is drawn.

7. A dispenser for drawing a beverage such as beer` and the like directly from a container ,in which thbevorage iS transported and in which the beverage is maintained under pressure, comprising a tubular conduit having an intake end receivable in the container and arranged to be immersed -in the beverage and a dispensing end extending only a short distance from the container, a. cooling liquid chamber formed to sur" round a portion of the conduit extending from the container, means whereby cooling liquid may be circulated through the chamber to maintain said extending portion of the conduit within a desired temperature range, a tap at the'dispensing end of the conduit having valve means to operably permit the withdrawal of beverage from 'the container through the conduit under the in iiuence of .said pressure, and a wooden lining inv the conduit arranged to decrease the eiIective .cross-sectional area of the beverage passage through the conduit; said lining being supported y bythe conduit and extending substantially from the inlet end thereof to a region'ofthe. conduit surrounded by said cooling chamber and adjacent the dispensing end of the conduit, whereby be'verage being drawn from the container h as a minimum contact Vwith metal. A

8. A dispenser for drawing a beverage such-as .beer and the like directly from a container in which the beverage is transported and in which the beverage is meintainedunder pressure, comprising a tubular conduit having an intake end receivable in the container and arranged to be immersed in the-beverage and a dispensing end Aextending only a. short distance from the'container, a cooling liquid chamber formed to surround a portion of the conduit extending from the container, means whereby cooling liquid may be circulated through the chamber to maintain .said extendingv portion oi' theconduit within a desired temperature range, a tap at thejdispensing end of the conduit'having valve means arranged to operably ,permit the 'withdrawal' of.

beverage from the containerv through the conduit under theiniluence of said pressure, means carwith metal.

riedby the' conduit for` adjustably regulating the resistance to the flow of beverage through the conduit, said last named means being independent of the valve means and being adjustable vwhile the beverage is being drawn from the container whereby the most desirable resistance` to 'ow for each container may be individually selected and maintained regardless of the number of times beverage is drawn, and -a wooden liningin the' 9. A tap rad forI dispensing a beverage such as beer and the like-diectly from a transportation container in which the beverage is maintainedunder pressure, which comprises in'a single unitary structure a tubular conduit receivable in a' tap hole of a container and of sufficient length when positioned inthe tap hole to extend from the lowermost portion of the interior of the container to a position exterior of the container and only a short distance above the top of the container, said conduit being substantially straight and substantially without turns or bends,'a pressure throttling head secured to the exterior porltion of the conduit and supportedthereby, said head having" adjustable means'for regulating t the resistance to vthe ilow of beverage through the rod and a-faucet carried by the head, said faucet having means, independent of the`l adjustable regulating means, for controlling the withdrawal of a beverage from the container through the tap rod. i

10. A tap rod for dispensing a beverage such as beer and the like directly from a transportation container inV which the beverage is maintained under pressure, which comprises in a single unitary structure a tubular conduit receivable in a tap hole of. :a container and of sumcient length when positioned in the` tap hole to extend from the lowermost portion of the interior ofthe container to a position exterior of the container and l only a short distance above the `top of ther conand substantially without turns or-bends, a pressure throttling head secured 'to the exterior portion of the-conduit and -supported thereby, said head having adjustable means for regulating the resistance to the flow of beverage through the rod, a faucet carried by the'head, said faucet having means, independent of the 'adjustable regulating means, for controlling the withdrawal of beverage from the container through.n the tap rod, and a cooling liquid chamber formed to surround an exterior portion of the taprod and said adjustable pressure throttling head, said cooling liquid chamber arrangedto have cooling liquid rod within a desired tempera-" tainer to a position exterior of the container, a

l circulated therethrough to maintain the exterior when-DOsitionedin theitap .holeito'extendJ-.from

-the lowermost portion of the'interior of the conage passage extending longitudinally therewooden lining in the conduit extending substantially from the inlet end thereof positioned within the container to substantially the end thereof positioned exterior of the container, a pressure throttling head secured to the exterior portion of the conduit and supported thereby, 'said head having adjustable means for regulating the resistance to the flow of beverage through the rod and a faucet carried by the head, said faucet having means, independent of the adjustable regulating means, for controlling the withdrawal of a' beverage` from the container through the tap rod. 12. A tap rod for dispensing a beverage such as beer and the like directly from a transportation container in which the beverage is'maintained under pressure, which comprises in a single unitary structure a tubular conduit receivable in a tap hole of a container' and of suflicient length when positioned in the tap hole to extend from the lowermost portion of the interior of the container to a position exterior of the container, a Wooden lining in the conduitextending substan-A tially from the inlet end thereof positioned within the container to substantially the end thereof positioned exterior of the container, a pressure throttling head secured to the exterior portion oiI the conduit and supported thereby, said head having adjustable means for regulating theyre- 'sistance tothe ilow of beverage through the rod,

a faucet carried by the head, said faucet having means, independent of the adjustable regulating means, for controlling the withdrawal of beverage from the container through the tap rod and a cooling liquid, chamber formed to surround an exterior portionofthe tap rod, said cooling liquid chamber, arranged to have Ycooling liquid circulated therethrough to maintain the exterior portion of the tap rod within a desired temperature range.

13. A tap rod for dispensing a beverage such as' beer and the. like from a container in which the beverage is maintained under pressure, comprising a tubular metal conduit having an inlet end adapted to be inserted into la beverage container through a bunghole thereof and having a beverthrough, a tubular lining supported Vin said conduit and materially reducing the cross-sectional area oi/the beverage passage, v.said lining being formed 'of wood v and arranged to substantially prevent beverage ilowingthroughthe lined passage from contacting the lmetal conduit, and a footing memberl secured to the inlet end of the conduit. f

1'4. A tap-rod for dispensing a beverage such f as' beer and the like from a container in which the beverage is maintained under pressure, compris-` ing a tubular metal conduit-having an inlet end adapted to be inserted into a beverage ontainer.; through a bunghole thereof and having a. bever-- ase passage extendinsr longitudinally tlnr'-A `through, a tubular wooden lining circumferentially embraced and sup rted in said conduit and materially reducing e cross-sectional area ofthe beverage e, said lining. being formed in sections confined' and held initheir correct relative positions bythe conduit, and a footing member secured to'the inlet end of the conduit. 15. A unitI for dispensing a beverage such as beer and the likewhlch comprises. in combination' y-a container in whichthe beverage istransported and maintained under pressure, a cooling element in .said container having an inlet and an outlet i accessible from the exterior orthe container and through which a cooling liquid may be `circulated to maintain the beverage in the container within a desired temperature range, a tubular conduit having an intake end in the container, said end s being below the Ysurface of the beverage, a pres- -sure regulating head carried by the conduit and having an adjustable means for regulating theresistance to the ilow of beverage being dispensed,

a tap carried by the head for drawing beverage as required, the operation of said tap being independent of the adjustable regulating means, a

cooling liquid chamber formed to surround an exterior portion of the conduit extending-v from the container, said chamber having an inlet an'dan outlet whereby cooling liquid may be circulated therethrough to maintain said extending portion of the conduit within a desired temperature range, said outlets arranged'so that cooling liquid owing from the cooling liquid chamber and cooling liquid flowing from the cooling element is com- -through the cooling element.

16. Aunit for dispensing abeverage such as beer and the like which comprises in combination a containerV in which the beverage is transported and maintained under pressure, a cooling element in said container having an inlet and an outlet accessible from the exterior4 of the container and through which a cooling liquid may be circulated to maintain the beverage in the container within a desired temperature range, a tubular conduit having an intake end in the container, said end being below the surface of the beverage, a pressure regulating head carried by the conduit and having an adjustable means for regulating the resistance to the ilow of beverage being dispensed, a tap carried by the head for drawing beverage -as required, the operation of said tap being independent of the adjustable regulating means, a cooling liquid chamberv formed to .surround an exterior portion of the conduit extending vfrom the container, said chamber having an inlet and an outlet whereby cooling liquid may be circulated therethrough to 'maintain said extending portion ofthe 4conduit within a desired temperature range, said outlets arranged so that cooling liquid flowing from the cooling liquid chamber and cooling liquid owing from the cooling element is commingled and ilows away from the unit, said inlets arranged so that, of the cooling liqudilowing to the unit, a portion ilows through the cooling liquid chamber and a portion flows through' the cooling element, and means for controllingv the proportionof cooling liquid ilowing through the cooling liquid chamber with respect to the portion which ilows through the cooling element, whereby the relativer temperatures of the -beverage in the conduit extending from the cona container in which the beveragel is transported and maintained under pressure, a tubular conduit disposed 'in a substantially vertical position and having an` intake end in the container, saidend being below the surface of the beveragev and the' conduit being substa itially straight throughout its length, a pressure throttling head carried and supported by the conduit and having an adjustable means for regulating the resistance to the iiow of beverage being dispensed, a tap car- 'aina-asa ried and supported by the head for drawing beverage as required, the operation of said tap being independent of the adjustable regulating means. and a wooden lining in the conduit,*said lining formed in sections and supported by the conduit,

the lining extending substantially from the in-v take end of the conduit to the adjustable throttling means whereby beverage being drawn from the unit has a minimum contact with metal.

18. The method of conditioning and dispensing a beverage such a's beer and the like which comprises cooling the beverage in the container in which the beverage is transported to substantially dispensing temperature, maintaining a gas pressure on .the beverage in the container suilcient to retain substantially all of 'the original gas content of the beverage in thevabsorbed state,

drawing cool beverage at relatively high velocity through a short substantially straight course of relatively small cross-sectional area extending from substantially the bottom of the container only a short distance above the container to progressively reduce the pressure on the beverage being drawn, said reduction' being insuiicient to independently reduce the pressure on the beverage to dispensing pressure, adjustably throttling the pressure on the beverage being drawn at the top of the course to complete the reduction of the pressure on the beverage to the desired dispensing pressure, and releasing the cooled beverage at the desired pressure substantially at the top of said course substantially without cireuitous naw thereof.

19. The method 'of conditioning and dispensing a beverage such as beer andthe like which comprises cooling the beverage in the container in which the beverage is transported to substantially dispensing temperature. maintaining a gas pressure on the beverage in the container suiilcient to retain substantially allv of the original gas content of the beverage in the absorbed state, drawing cool beverage at relatively 'high velocity through a short substantially straight course of relatively small cross-sectional area extending from substantially the 'bottom'of the container only a short distance above the container to pro# gressively reduce the pressure on the beverage beingdrawn,said reductio'n being insufllclenttoindependently reduce the pressure on the beverage to dispensing pressure, adjustably throttling the pressure on the beverage being drawn at the top of the course to complete the reduction of the pressure on the beverage to the desired dispensing pressure, enclosing substantially all oithe course above the container by a,A local cooling medium while the pressure on-the beverage is being reduced and substantially until the bever? age is dispensing, and releasing the cooled beverage at the desired pressure substantially at the top of said course substantially without circuitous iiow thereof.

DEWEY H. DOLISON. `WALLACE R. KROMER, 

